Could I have this?

Ok, without trying to sound like a hypocondriac ... there is "something" wrong with me and I haven't been able to figure it out for months. You know how you can just tell that you're "off" ... I've been having varying symptoms on and off for a while... I have been tested for STD's, Lupus, Diabetes, Liver function... heart problems... all kinds of stuff. I'm getting a bit tired of worrying about my health. All the tests I take seem to come back negative. Only thing I've managed to find is High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol.

I read through some of the Lyme posts after I did a search on one of my symptoms. I read another post that listed out a ton of Lyme disease symptoms... I must say I have had either now or in the recent past a lot of the symptoms on the list.

My question is, can you have Lyme disease for a very long time and not even realize it? I've read a couple posts where people didn't seem to know but is it common to think that I got bit by a tick I have no recolection of and that 1. the tick is gone and 2. it gave me lyme disease?

Many people have Lyme for a long time before getting diagnosed. Sometimes people can keep the symptoms at bay for some time until their immune system becomes stressed in some way (illness, accident, divorce, etc.). Then symptoms emerge.

Many people are bitten by ticks without knowing it. They are tiny and infect a numbing agent so you cannot feel them on you. They fall off after they feed.

When Lyme disease is a possibility, it is very important to see a kowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. Lyme needs continuous aggressive treatment. No test is completely reliable, and results can vary by lab.

Besides Lyme, ticks can also transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, two types of Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. It is estimated that 60% of people who have Lyme are co-infected. It may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.

If you need a doctor recommendation, let us know.

It is also important to learn as much as possible. I recommend reading Dr. Joseph Burrascano's 2005 Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines For Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses (on-line). He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many Lyme doctors follow his protocols. I also recommend the book "Everything You Need To Know about Lyme Disease
(2nd edition)" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner.

Thank you for the replies. I remember actually finding ticks on me when I was young but not in a long time. Can you also get it from other insects that bite?

I get bitten up by misquitos so much but I also notice I get itchy blotchy skin on my arms a lot as well. They won't really be there till I start itching then little red bumps pop up... is that related at all?

I live in Northern VA near Washington DC if anyone knows of a doctor around here.

Hi Amy. I believe there is some debate on whether or not other insects can transmit Lyme.

I know of a few Lyme doctors in the MD/DC area: Dr. Kenneth Singleton in Towson, MD; Dr. Elizabeth Lucas in Timonium, MD; and Dr. Mark Garzon in DC. Dr. Singleton comes highly recommended. All I know about the other two is that they are supposed to be knowledgeable.

Thank you for the replies. I remember actually finding ticks on me when I was young but not in a long time. Can you also get it from other insects that bite?

I get bitten up by misquitos so much but I also notice I get itchy blotchy skin on my arms a lot as well. They won't really be there till I start itching then little red bumps pop up... is that related at all?

I live in Northern VA near Washington DC if anyone knows of a doctor around here.

Thanks!

I highly recommend B Robert Mozayeni of Optimal Health Physicians in Rockville MD. He's done a great job with my complicated case. He's also listed in the "Great Docs" stickied thread, page 1 near the bottom.